Author
Topic: Kit visits Julius (Read 1628 times)

"would you like some water to help wash down the bread? what do you think of the Feyberry Jam? good, eh? Annalee makes that...she sells it in her shop. it's actually an elven recipe. how she learned it and how it's made she keeps a secret." he walks over to a barrel and lifts the lid. he then grabs a dark green ceramic mug and dips the mug and fills it with water. he walks back to the table and places the mug before Kit.

Kit looked at the jam and, for a short moment, wondered if it was made of fey. She certainly hoped not. The scent coming from the jar of jam was heaven.

Julius chuckled at her as she clumsily ripped the slice of soft bread into two as she tried to spread the thick jam across it. She giggled, "oops". She took the second slice from Julius and made a crumpled up sandwich.

With jam squeezing over her fingers, she stuffed the first bite in her mouth. With a mouth full of the sweet goodness, she smiled at Julius. Putting her finger up, asking him to wait a moment, as she had another question.

Julius says, "you should try the bread with some feyberry jam...it's great!" Julius hands her a jar of lavendar colored jam. "From what i've come to understand, the Valley fell into darkness because the four sacred talismans were taken and hidden away. As for the recent plague well, it is really much a mystery. Last Rynnyk, Arcanists, Elementalists, Mages, Priests, and Druids just fell sick and died. No one knows why." Julius looks at her curiously and asks, "why do you ask all of these questions...i don't mind answering but it seems odd to me that a girl of your age would be so interested in such matters. here, have another slice of bread. "

"well, yes you could. i've been there several times myself. the entrance to the Valley is being rebuilt as much was destroyed when it fell into darkness. it's a collabrative effort between the Dwarves of Fyn Fabyr, Humans from all over, and surprisingly enough, elves from Kaaryn'Zyth! The priests in the Valley know of the plaque from last Rynnyk they'll be returning soon enough. as for the coffee it's made from cinammon...not bad ,eh?"

Julius looks around at the fine brickwork and various cookpans hanging on the wall. he says, "oh, thank you. really the credit should go to my wife...she was good with things like this to her the kitchen was the house. but to answer your question, visitors by the thousands go to the valley from Sythus to Rynnyk. all are welcomed by the priests. oh, and did you think the coffee was sweetened? oh no Kit, it's coffee made from cinammon. but if you want it sweet i could add some honey..."

"You put sweetener in coffee?" Kit asked innocently. "Pappy never allowed it in his..." she stopped. Smiling she said, "I would love some. Can I help you?" she said as Julius was about to walk out to the kitchen.

At his nod she followed him.

"So to continue, I would assume that the priests must coexist with visitors as well then? Oh what a lovely kitchen," she exclaimed as she looked around.

"Amazingly they do coexist peacefully. the clerics of Takhisis are always up to their plots but those are executed outside of the Valley. you see, the Valley is for everyone and the dark priests respect that...it's hard to believe but they do. i have some very good cinnamon coffee, would you like to try it?"

"Well, Kit, the Valley is open to everyone of all belief's. Also, the Valley is divine ground. it is protected so long as the four artifacts are there or are in the possession of one devoted to that deity. many centuries ago the artifacts were stolen and hidden and it caused the Valley to turn into a nightmare. Legend says that for as beautiful as the Valley is now it was equally morose in it's dark alter-ego. would you like something to drink?"

Julius escorts Kit into his sitting area. the house is expertly built and is ornamented with humble luxuries. above the mantle in gold and silver are two entwined rings etched with celtic knots.

Julius looks at the rings turns back to Kit and says, "sadly, no. the temples in Threshold have been locked all winter. especially after they were defiled...even the Temple of Shadows. i expect that other priests will arrive soon now that Venric has passed. some may even arrive from the Valley. it was a peculiar thing, this ailment...even the druids weren't immune. i wish i had more answers for you..."

Kit's face quickly cools to it's original pale shade, as she realizes she was not as early as she had assumed.

'What, do they get up at dawn?' she thought to herself, and yawned just at the idea of it.

She entered Julius home, stopping just inside, too unsure of herself to proceed farther into the house. She watched as Julius gave each child a hug and bid them "good day".

After they had gone the house was utterly silent. She had come at the perfect time to bend Julius' ear.

"I was wondering if I could speak with you a moment on the status of the city's clerics. I have travelled many lands the past few seasons. The unknown illness that has taken the lives of the faithfull seems to have reached even this southern city. Are there any priests left in Threshold, of any faith?"